The Giver

By Lois Lowry ~ Flyer Created by Alayah Hill

The Giver

By Lois Lowry ~ Flyer Created by Alayah Hill

Summary

Jonas lives in a community where everything is strictly governed. The family units in which the citizens are allocated down to the way citizens communicate were carefully discussed and put into effect by the elders. Every year in December, the kids in the community advance into their next assigned age group. At the Ceremony of Twelve, the twelve-year-olds are given their Life Assignments. Unlike the rest of his group, Jonas is selected for a unique occupation, Receiver, and embarks on his journey to complete his training with his mentor, the Giver. Overtime, the Giver enlightens Jonas of a human sensation of the past: feelings. He realizes the truth about why this human characteristic was taken from the community, and when someone he loves is put in danger, his knowledge and training is put to the test.

Main Character ~ Jonas

Jonas is an exuberant 11-year-old boy who has a deep regard for his friends and family. However, he feels he is different. His differences play a role in his selection for the job of Receiver at the Ceremony of Twelve. He is resentful at first, but he eventually begins to enjoy his Life Assignment. He takes full responsibility in acquiring and understanding all of the memories transferred to him from the Giver. When he becomes more fond of the memories he understands the need for them in addition to feelings in real life. He questions why they were taken away from the citizens. When Gabriel, a baby who Jonas has grown attached to, is put in danger, he decides to escape to Elsewhere. By doing so he will attempt to rescue Gabe and restore necessary qualities back to the citizens' lives.

Three Other Important Characters

The Giver

The Giver is a wise elderly man who has acquired many memories of the past. He has endured countless years of pain by keeping the memories to himself. Due to the loss of the previous Receiver, he also has to live with the grief of failing an apprentice. With this tragedy, he suffered with the pain of the memories for an extra ten years. This pain was meant to be shared among the citizens of the community, however, it was taken away to maintain order and peace. It is because of this that the Giver lives with agony each and everyday in isolation.

Gabriel

Gabriel (aka Gabe) is a young child who requires additional nurturing and care. He has trouble sleeping through the night and often cries (like any normal baby does). However, this is looked at as a deficiency in the community. Jonas's dad feels as if Gabe can outgrow this "deficiency" if he receives the proper care and decides to temporarily adopt him. After staying with the family for a year it is decided that he must be released because he isn't "healthy enough".

Father

Father is a Nurturer who is the father figure to Jonas and Lily and a spouse to their mother. Due to his job, he is forced to release babies which is troubling to him. He is caring towards others and cherishes his Life Assignment. His compassion leads to him temporarily adopting Gabriel (a young child who needs extra care). He makes it his responsibility to properly nurture Gabe.

The Giver

The Giver is a wise elderly man who has acquired many memories of the past. He has endured countless years of pain by keeping the memories to himself. Due to the loss of the previous Receiver, he also has to live with the grief of failing an apprentice. With this tragedy, he suffered with the pain of the memories for an extra ten years. This pain was meant to be shared among the citizens of the community, however, it was taken away to maintain order and peace. It is because of this that the Giver lives with agony each and everyday in isolation.

Gabriel

Gabriel (aka Gabe) is a young child who requires additional nurturing and care. He has trouble sleeping through the night and often cries (like any normal baby does). However, this is looked at as a deficiency in the community. Jonas's dad feels as if Gabe can outgrow this "deficiency" if he receives the proper care and decides to temporarily adopt him. After staying with the family for a year it is decided that he must be released because he isn't "healthy enough".

Father

Father is a Nurturer who is the father figure to Jonas and Lily and a spouse to their mother. Due to his job, he is forced to release babies which is troubling to him. He is caring towards others and cherishes his Life Assignment. His compassion leads to him temporarily adopting Gabriel (a young child who needs extra care). He makes it his responsibility to properly nurture Gabe.

"He knew that there was no quick comfort for emotions like those. They were deeper and they did not need to be told. They were felt." ~ Lois Lowry, The Giver

Questions

What is the theme of the story?

On what terms do you think the community was established?

The citizens had the memories taken away from them, but why do you think they had their ability to see colors taken away from them also?

Why do you think the citizens are required to use "precise language"?

Do you think Jonas reached elsewhere, why or why not?

Rating

*****~ Overall, I give the book five stars because it is interesting throughout and it provides the reader with a different perspective. The author maintains the altered dialogue of the characters. She also provides adequate information and descriptions about a variety of settings and incidents. This allows the reader to acquire a better image of what takes place.